The Law Library became a selective United States Government Documents Library in 1968. Current selections of United States Government Documents include approximately 27% of the items available on the Federal Depository Library Program. Our most heavily collected items include Congressional publications, Department of Justice publications, and regulatory materials from selected governmental agencies. These items may come to us in paper, microform or electronic format. The University Libraries is a full depository library, receiving all of the materials distributed through the depository program.

The Law Library became a State of Iowa Government Documents Depository Library in 1979. Originally the publications were issued either in print or microform format; presently the majority of state publications are issued only in electronic format.